Two former Parramatta Eels players are accused of harbouring semi-automatic weapons and possessing more than half-a-million dollars in cash after dramatic arrests in Sydney's Centennial Park yesterday.

Joyce backs Newman budget cuts

Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce has given "100 per cent" backing to the Queensland state government's decision to cut public spending.

Ms Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan have criticised the Liberal National Party government of Campbell Newman for taking the axe to public sector jobs and spending.

Senator Joyce said Labor had brought about big deficits and debt which cannot be sustained.

"Well, I back Campbell up 100 per cent," Senator Joyce told ABC radio on Monday.

"Look, people are always unhappy when someone is losing their job.

"But they realise why it's happening and it's happening not because of Newman - it's happening because of debt and Labor brought about the debt, just like they're bringing about the debt federally."

Asked if Ms Gillard was correct when she said Mr Newman's budget was an Abbott government curtain raiser, Senator Joyce told ABC radio: "Well she's absolutely correct that the Labor party, which she is a part of, has brought about the biggest deficits, our biggest debt, they've borrowed $10 billion in the last month, $2 billion in the last week."

"What we're seeing in Queensland, NSW and Victoria is an awful, ugly preview of the wrecking ball that Tony Abbott would use to destroy the jobs and working conditions of people right throughout the country," Mr Swan said in a statement on Monday.

"Campbell Newman has said he's briefed Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey on his slash and burn approach to Queensland jobs and services - and they were fully supportive of his draconian actions."

On Sunday, Ms Gillard told delegates to a Queensland ALP conference they must spread the word on what a federal conservative government would look like.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls said he was astonished at his federal counterpart's continued false and misleading claims.

"Labor's own Mid Year Fiscal and Economic Outlook in January showed debt would reach $85.3 billion in 2014-15," he said in a statement.

"We've been able to reduce that to $81.7 billion.

"The Newman government will deliver a fiscal surplus of $652 million in 2014-15 and a return to an operating surplus in 2013-14 - a year ahead of schedule."

Instead of recycling false lies Mr Swan should focus on delivering all the unfunded promises his government has been making.